Perspiration band for headgear

ABSTRACT

A perspiration band for a headgear formed from a moisture-absorbing material for protecting forehead and temples of the user from contact with the non-absorbent headband. The perspiration band has an irregularly-shaped unitary body defined by a first straight edge and an opposing edge that has an outwardly extending arcuate tab. The perspiration band is adapted for positioning over a headband of the headgear when folded lengthwise and with the securing members engaged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to headgear accessories, and more particularly toa band for absorbing perspiration of a user who wears hardhat, weldingshield, and the like.

Various industrial fields require workers to wear specialhead-protective headgear, such as hard hats or welding shields duringworking hours. The hard hats and welding shields are conventionallyprovided with a flexible, non-absorbing headband band made of plastic.The headgear band is positioned in the interior of the hardhat andencircles the interior wall of the hardhat, allowing the user to adjustthe circumference of the band for a better fit.

The headgear band contacts the skin of the user and, when userperspires, does not absorb the perspiration. As a result, the user maydevelop a rash, itch, and redness of the skin in the areas, where theplastic band rubs against the forehead. The headgear band is usuallysecured inside the hardhat with the help of upwardly extending segmentsthat are connected together at the apex of the headgear.

Various solutions have been offered to help absorb perspiration whenwearing a hardhat. One such solution is disclosed in our earlier patentNo. Re. 33,430 issued on Nov. 13, 1990. Another solution is shown in ourU.S. Pat. No. 6,467,095 issued on Oct. 22, 2002.

While the perspiration bands in accordance with the above patents worksatisfactorily in many cases, it has been observed that the design ofthe perspiration band shown in the prior patents may not be particularlybeneficial in all hardhat applications.

The present invention contemplates provision of a perspiration band thatprovides better fit and adaptability to headgear headbands now used inhardhats and other similar headgear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide amoisture-absorbent perspiration band that can be used with a widevariety of headgear.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a moistureabsorbing perspiration band that is easy to position and easy to removefor regular cleaning and washing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedmoisture-absorbent perspiration band for headgear, wherein headgear hasfour upwardly extending strips that secure the circular band inside theheadgear.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved through aprovision of a flexible body made from moisture-absorbing materialadapted for positioning on the headband of a headgear. The flexible bodyhas a unitary construction; its periphery is defined by a firstelongated straight edge, a pair of straight sides and a second edgeopposite the first edge. The second edge has a first straight portion, asecond straight portion and an arcuate central tab that extendsoutwardly from the first portion and the second portion.

A plurality of mating securing members, such as snaps or hook-and-loopfasteners, are secured along the edges of the flexible body; thesecuring members are engaged together when the flexible body ispositioned over the headband of a headgear and is folded lengthwise.

The linear dimension of the second edge is greater than the lineardimension of the first straight edge to accommodate for the curvature ofa standard headband without forming wrinkles in the perspiration band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals and wherein FIG. 1 is a plan view of theperspiration band in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail view showing positioning of the perspiration band ofthe present invention in relation to the circular headgear headband.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the perspiration band of the presentinvention positioned in a hardhat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates themoisture-absorbing perspiration band of the present invention. As can beseen in the drawings, the perspiration band 10 comprises a unitary bodyof an irregular shape. The perspiration body is defined by a first, edge11, a second edge 13, a first side 21 and a second side 23. The sides 21and 23 extend at an obtuse angle in relation to the first edge 11. Thesecond edge 13 has greater linear dimension than the first edge 11.

The second edge 13 is divided into roughly three portions: a central tab17, a first portion tab 19, and a second portion 20. The first portion19 and the second portion 20 are defined as straight edges extending ina substantially parallel relationship to the first edge 11. The portions19 and 20 form acute angles with the sides 21 and 23, respectively.

The central tab 17 is defined by an arcuate edge and extends outwardlyfrom the main body of the band 10 and outwardly in relation to the firstportion 19 and the second portion 20. The central tab 17 has asufficient extension to accommodate the upward curvature of the headgearwithin which the headband 10 is to be positioned.

The perspiration band 10 further comprises means for securing the bandon the headgear headband. A plurality of mating securing member areattached to the body 10 along the edges and sides of the perspirationband 10. A plurality of securing members 14 is attached along the edge11. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, there are four securingmembers 14 attached along the first edge 11. Two of the securing members14 are located in the corners of the perspiration band 10 between thesides 21 and 23 and the edge 11. Two central securing members 14 arepositioned adjacent an imaginary center line passing across theperspiration band 10.

A plurality of mating securing members 12 are mounted along the edge 13.A pair of securing members 12 are located in the corners of the band 10between the first portion 19 and the second portion 20, and the sides 21and 23, respectively. A pair of central securing members 12 are alsolocated in the central tab 17 at location further from the imaginarycenter line than the mating securing members 14. The distance betweenthe securing members 12 and the imaginary center line is greater thanthe distance between the securing members 14 and the imaginary is centerline to better accommodate the curvature of the headband 18 of theheadgear 22. The variable distance between the mating securing members12 or 14 and the center of the perspiration band 10 also facilitates awrinkle-free mounting of the perspiration band 10 on the headband 18.

In operation, the user folds the perspiration band 10 approximately inhalf lengthwise and positions the perspiration band 10 around theheadband 18 of the headgear 22. The edge 11 and the edge 13 are broughttogether allowing the mating securing members 12 and 14 to be securedabove the headband 18, as shown in FIG. 2.

Then, the user engages the securing members 12 and 14 together. Thecentral securing members 12 located in the tab 17 are secured with thecentral securing members 14 located along the edge 11, enclosing theparts of the headband 18 where it contacts the forehead of the user. Ascan be seen in FIG. 3, the perspiration band 10 is placed above theheadband 18 without interfering with the upwardly extending strips 24 ofthe hardhat 22.

It is preferred that the perspiration band 10 be formed from soft,flexible, moisture-absorbing material, for instance terrycloth, cotton,or cotton jersey. The securing members 12 and 14 may be snaps or piecesof hook and loop fasteners, if desired. The perspiration band 10 may beimpregnated with anti-bacterial solution or a moisturizing cream toprevent skin irritation of the user, especially in an environment suchas construction sites, where sand and dust are present.

Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the presentinvention without departing from the spirit thereof. We, therefore, praythat our rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A perspiration band for headgear comprising: Aflexible unitary body formed from a moisture absorbing material anddefined by a first elongated edge, a first side, a second side, and asecond edge opposite the first edge, said second edge having anoutwardly extending arcuate central tab defined by an arcuate edge, saidsecond edge having greater linear dimensions then the first edge; and aplurality of securing members attached along the first edge and thesecond edge, said securing members being attached together when saidflexible body is positioned on a headband of a headgear.
 9. The deviceof claim 8, wherein said second edge is further defined by a firstportion and a second portion oriented at an acute angle in relation tothe sides of the flexible body.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein saidsecond edge is oriented at an obtuse angle in relation to the first sideand the second side.
 11. The device of claim 8, wherein said securingmembers comprise corner members for securing opposing corners of thebody, and central securing members for securing the central tab of thesecond edge with a central portion of the first edge when said body isfolded lengthwise over a headband of a headgear, said first edge andsaid second edge extending above the headband of the headgear.
 12. Thedevice of claim 11, wherein said central securing members are mounted ata pre-determined distance from an imaginary central cross line of theflexible body.